Becoming a professional ice hockey player is a dream that many aspiring athletes strive for. However, the ultimate goal for most players is to make it to the National Hockey League (NHL) - the highest level of professional ice hockey in North America. While there are several different routes that players can take to reach this pinnacle of success, the accomplishment of making it to the NHL is truly remarkable.
One path that many Russian players take is playing in their country's professional leagues, such as the MHL, VHL, and KHL, before venturing overseas to play in the NHL. This was the case for some of the league's top players, including Artemi Panarin and Kirill Kaprizov, who did not join the NHL until they were 24 years old.
Another example of a Russian player looking to make his mark in the NHL is Vladimir Tkachev. Despite having previously signed a contract with the Los Angeles Kings, Tkachev returned to Russia after three seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) to play in the KHL. However, the 27-year-old forward signed an NHL contract in 2021 and played one season before returning to Russia to join the Avangard Omsk team.
In his most recent season with Avangard Omsk, Tkachev's impressive performance on the ice showcased his abilities as a highly skilled and talented player. Over 64 games, he tallied an impressive 59 points, further demonstrating his potential to make a comeback in the NHL.
The KHL season has now concluded and Tkachev was looking to sign an extension with his team, but according to his agent, they did not receive a good contract offer and his client will be looking to make an NHL return:
